Handling liquid bromine and preparing bromine water

Read our standard health & safety guidance

Opening ampoules:
Wear heavy duty, chemically resistant (e.g. nitrile) gloves, Do NOT use disposable plastic gloves (refer to CLEAPSS Guidance leaflet PS50).

Wear suitable eye protection.  Use a fume cupboard.

Do not handle the ampoules for longer than necessary (heat from the hand will build up pressure).

Make a scratch on the neck of the ampoule with a good glass knife and snap off the neck. For many purposes, the ampoule may be crushed where it is required.

Bromine water:
Wear heavy duty, chemically resistant (e.g. nitrile) gloves, Do NOT use disposable plastic gloves (refer to CLEAPSS Guidance leaflet PS50).

Wear suitable eye protection.  Work in a fume cupboard.

Add 0.5 ml of bromine to 100 ml of water. Or crush an ampoule under 200 ml of water and decant the liquid into a bottle. Refer to CLEAPSS Hazcard for alternative method.

Bromine is VERY TOXIC, CORROSIVE and DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – see CLEAPSS Hazcards and CLEAPSS Recipe Book.

Wherever bromine liquid is used or stored, have 500 ml of 1 M (25 %) solution of sodium thiosulfate to hand. See CLEAPSS Hazcard.

Health and safety checked Novemeber 2007